Pikes Peak peak
Pikes Peak rises to 14,109 ft in Rocky-Mountains within the Front Range range.
It is the highest peak in the southern Front Range of the Rockies. The mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the cities of Colorado Springs and Denver. Its summit can be reached by a scenic highway, a cog railway, or by hiking one of the several trails available.
During the winter season, Pikes Peak experiences heavy snowfall due to its high elevation. The snowpack ranges from 50 to 100 inches (127 to 254 cm) on average, creating ideal conditions for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. The mountain's extensive snow-covered slopes attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
Pikes Peak is also known for its numerous creeks and rivers that derive from its snowmelt. These include the Arkansas River, Fountain Creek, and the South Platte River. The mountain's runoff serves as a vital water source for the region, providing irrigation and drinking water to nearby communities.
The name "Pikes Peak" honors Zebulon Pike Jr., an American explorer who led an expedition to the area in 1806. Interestingly, he never reached the summit and referred to it as the "highest point" he saw. The mountain has also been a subject of legends and lore, inspiring the famous song "America the Beautiful" written by Katharine Lee Bates. Pikes Peak continues to be an iconic symbol of the American West, attracting adventurers and nature lovers alike.
For trail conditions and access, search Wikipedia or the local land manager's site. Browse other peaks in the Rocky-Mountains range.
Snowpack near Pikes Peak
Snow water equivalent and snowpack depth at SNOTEL stations near the peak. Best proxy for what's currently sitting on the summit.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Wild Basin | 1 in | → |
| Ute Creek | 2 in | → |
| Nohrsc Echo Lake | 1 in | → |
| Niwot | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Sawtooth | 4 in | → |
| Hourglass Lake | 1 in | → |
| Glen Cove | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc North Costilla | 5 in | → |
| Nohrsc Glen Cove | 1 in | → |
| Niwot | 2 in | → |
| Wild Basin | 1 in | → |
| Trinchera | 1 in | → |
Streamflow near Pikes Peak
USGS streamgauges in the basin drained by this peak. Spring snowmelt from the summit feeds these flows.
| Gauge | Streamflow | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Vrain Creek Below Longmont | -999,999 cfs | → |
| South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward | 45 cfs | → |
| St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont | 130 cfs | → |
| Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton | 17 cfs | → |
| Left Hand Creek Near Boulder | 58 cfs | → |
| South Platte River At Fort Lupton | 138 cfs | → |
| Boulder Creek At Mouth | 25 cfs | → |
Plan around incoming weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column -- snow at this elevation typically lags the radar signature by a few hours.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
What's around Pikes Peak
Ski areas, river runs, fishing spots, campgrounds, parks, reservoirs, and boat launches within driving distance of Pikes Peak.
Ski areas
- Taos Ski Valley
- Breckenridge Ski Resort
- Copper Mountain Resort
- Cuchara Mountain Resort
- Ski Santa Fe
- Hogadon Ski Area
River runs
Get Pikes Peak on your phone.
Save this peak as a favorite and get push alerts when storms move in, fresh snow falls upstream, or NWS issues a weather warning. Free, account optional.
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Set up an alert
Custom alerts are configured in the Snoflo iOS app. Open the app, navigate to this peak, and tap the bell icon to set thresholds for snowfall, temperature, or wind.